The Henson Journals

[567]

2nd Sunday after Xmas, January 2nd, 1916.

517th day

The wind has fallen, & the morning is calm. The weather continues strangely warm. I celebrated at 8 a.m. There were but few communicants. I preached to the soldiers at 10 a.m. from the words. "If God is for us: who is against us?" At Mattins the Bishop of Jarrow preached a suitable and well–expressed sermon on Psalm 65.8 "Thou makest the outgoings of the morning & evening praise Thee". The weather grew worse as the afternoon came on: by service time it was raining dismally. The special service of Intercession was attended by the Mayor & Corporation who were escorted by about 300 soldiers. Considering the weather, there was a good muster of citizens. I preached on Isaiah 37.14: "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers & read it: & Hezekiah went up into the House of the Lord, & spread it before the Lord". After the Benediction we sang the National Anthem, all three verses. The collection was for the Mayor's Belgian Relief Fund. Altogether during the day a sum of £24.17.5 was collected. Some of the officers came in to tea, and I shewed them over the house.

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